According to DJI’s “At a Glance” specs, the Mini 5 Pro weighs 249 grams, but if you click on “More Details,” the small letters reveal that it is actually 249.9 g ± 4 g. And to be honest, from many pilots’ reports, it’s more often plus 4 grams than minus. Those who purchased the Fly More Combo kit may find that the weight can vary from battery to battery. Furthermore, loading a micro SD card and installing an ND filter can even increase the takeoff weight.
Being under 250 grams (approximately 0.5489 pounds) offers significant advantages, especially from a regulatory perspective. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require drones under 250 grams to be registered for recreational use, reducing administrative burden and making it simpler for hobbyists to fly legally. Similarly, in the European Union, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) allows drones under 250 grams to operate in the Open category with minimal restrictions, provided they do not carry dangerous payloads. Staying under this weight threshold also reduces liability in case of accidents, as these drones are less likely to cause serious injury or property damage.
With the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, which weighs approximately 117 g, the takeoff weight increases to around 247 g, which puts this drone under C1 regulation, which requires registration, compliance with operational limitations, and adherence to safety rules for drones in the C1 category.
Is it legal or not to fly in the under 250 grams class with DJI Mini 5 Pro?
Drones classified under the C0 category by EASA are those that weigh less than 250 grams and meet specific safety requirements, such as low noise and limited speed. These drones are considered the safest for urban and recreational flying, allowing operators to fly without prior certification, pilot training, or registration, as long as they respect basic rules like maintaining line-of-sight and avoiding restricted areas. The C0 classification encourages safe and responsible drone use while lowering the entry barrier for beginners, making it an attractive option for anyone looking to explore the skies with minimal regulatory constraints.
In theory, drones weighing over 250 grams should be illegal under FAA and EASA rules, as well as in other countries that have similar drone legislation. But honestly, if that were the case, I think DJI would have known and designed it so it wouldn’t exceed 249 grams. They could have used thinner plastic or made the battery a few milliamperes smaller. Instead, they wanted to get the most out of a sub-250‑gram drone without breaking the law. Like speed radars, there is an accepted margin of error in court, so a drone’s weight can vary depending on the scale used. And honestly, I have yet to see a law‑enforcement officer walking around with a scale checking the weight of an aircraft. They go after the manufacturer, and in DJI’s case—being a brand with a strong reputation—no one will usually question what is printed on the label.
Bottom line
My opinion is that we should stop obsessing over the weight of the DJI Mini 5 Pro, stop posting pictures online claiming it’s over 250 grams, and just enjoy flying it more and more. Before long, the Mini 6 Pro will arrive, and the weighing debate will start all over again. :)
I think the MINI 5 Pro fits within any scale’s tolerance limit, so no worries!